Albany, N.Y. – United States Marine Corps Master Sergeant (retired) and Genesee County Veterans Service Agency Director Harry “Hal” Kreter has been selected – by State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer – as a New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame Honoree for the 61st District for his gallantry in the U.S. Armed Forces and service to the community.

Albany, N.Y. – Staff Sergeant William R. “Billy” Wilson III has been inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame. Senator Ranzenhofer nominated Staff Sgt. Wilson, posthumously honoring him Tuesday morning at a State Capitol ceremony.

Staff Sgt. Wilson served on two combat deployments to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and one tour of duty during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. While in Afghanistan, he was training Afghan soldiers and police to take over the country’s security. He was killed in action while in Paktika Province, located in the eastern part of Afghanistan, on March 26, 2012. He was 27 years old.

Albany, N.Y. - Senator Ranzenhofer comments on his bill, S.3550B, to designate a portion of interstate highway 990 in Erie County as the "Staff Sergeant William R. Wilson III Memorial Highway."

This legislation would celebrate the late Staff Sgt. William R. Wilson III, of Getzville, who was killed March 26, 2012, while serving in Afghanistan. Staff Sgt. Wilson was killed in Paktika Province, in Eastern Afghanistan, where he was training Afghan soldiers and police to take over the country's security. Click here for more information about the legislation.

West Amherst, NY– State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer and State Assemblyman Ray Walter, along with members of The Wilson Family, today unveiled the interstate highway 990’s new designation as the “Staff Sergeant William R. Wilson III Memorial Highway.”

Senator Ranzenhofer offers remarks at the dedication ceremony for the Sweet Home Military Wall of Honor. The Wall of Honor recognizes graduates of Sweet Home High School who have served in the United States Military.

It is so important that we remember the great sacrifices that our veterans have given to our nation.

Last week, Governor Cuomo signed legislation, which I carried in the State Senate, to re-name Route 98 as the “Genesee and Orleans Veterans’ Memorial Highway.” Last month, I joined members of the Wilson Family to unveil the interstate highway 990’s new designation as the “Staff Sergeant William R. Wilson III Memorial Highway.”

As we honor our distinguished military veterans throughout the month of November, I would like to share with you a number of other important State initiatives to support these courageous men and women.